Living with the effects of hormone therapy for prostate cancer
Some prostate cancer treatments lower the amount of sex hormones in the body. This can cause hot flushes.
They usually start as a feeling of warmth in your neck, face, chest or back.
It can help to keep the room cool and to wear layers so you can take them off easily. Treatment includes medicines. Talk to your healthcare team about what is best for you.
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can change the levels of in your body. This can cause hot flushes.
This page is about hot flushes in men with prostate cancer. But some of the tips on how to cope with hot flushes are also applicable to men who have hot flushes for other reasons.
Some prostate cancer treatments lower the amount of sex hormones in the body. This can cause hot flushes.
They usually start as a feeling of warmth in your neck, face, chest or back.
It can help to keep the room cool and to wear layers so you can take them off easily. Treatment includes medicines. Talk to your healthcare team about what is best for you.
Hormones occur naturally in your body. They control the growth and activity of normal cells. Testosterone is a male sex hormone mainly made by the testicles.
Prostate cancer usually depends on testosterone to grow. Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the amount of testosterone in the body.
Different types of hormone therapy cause different side effects. Some hormone treatments can cause hot flushes in most men. Other drugs are less likely to cause hot flushes.
For many men, hot flushes gradually get better over time. For others, the flushes last as long as they are having treatment.
Find out more about hormone therapy
There are different drugs that can help with hot flushes. Your doctor may also suggest you try complementary therapies such as acupuncture.
Hot flushes are often triggered by certain foods or drinks. Some people find that keeping a diary of their hot flushes can help them manage this problem. You can show the diary to your doctor or specialist nurse.
Medroxyprogesterone is a type of drug called progestogen. This is usually the first choice of treatment. You take 20 mg per day for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks your doctor should review this medication.
Your doctor may suggest you take cyproterone acetate if medroxyprogesterone hasn't worked for you. You usually take 50 mg every day but your doctor can increase the amount to 150 mg if you need.
Research has shown that certain antidepressant medicines can be helpful in treating hot flushes in men with prostate cancer. Examples are venlafaxine and paroxetine.
Gabapentin is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and nerve pain. It can also be helpful in controlling hot flushes but this is rare.
Your doctor may consider other types of progestogens if other treatments haven't helped you. An example of this is megestrol acetate (Megace).
It can be difficult coping with prostate cancer and its treatment. There is support available.
Last reviewed: 05 Sept 2025
Next review due: 05 Sept 2028
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can affect the levels of your hormones. This can cause different side effects including hot flushes, swollen breasts, sleep disturbances and weight changes.
Get practical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and life during and after treatment.
Prostate cancer usually depends on testosterone to grow. Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the amount of testosterone in the body.
You may have a choice of treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy. Or your doctor might suggest that they monitor your cancer instead of treatment straight away.
Hormones are natural substances in your body. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men. Treatment for prostate cancer can lower the amount of testosterone in your body.
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found at the base of the bladder and is about the size of a walnut.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
Image by credit test.
